STRATHAM, N.H., March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Jennie Garth, actress and mother of three, joins premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt USA to launch the company's fourth Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction. Garth is joined by 96 celebrities -- from Blake Lively, Brad Paisley and Celine Dion -- to help raise funds for the autism cause. Fans can make a difference this Easter season by bidding on any of the celebrity-signed porcelain Lindt GOLD BUNNY figures on LindtGOLDBUNNYAuction.com. The auction is running now through March 15, 2013 and 100 percent of proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks.

"I'm truly excited to help kick off the Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction to raise funds for a cause that affects so many children," said Garth. "As a mother of three daughters, I look forward to special moments in life, and combining our Easter traditions with giving back is the perfect way to celebrate this spring."

Ninety-seven celebrities, including Garth, in the entertainment, food, music and sports industries have lent their signatures to the cause. Participating celebrities include:

Jason Aldean

Carmelo Anthony

Christina Applegate

Mario Batali

Lance Berkman

Mayim Bialik

Julie Bowen

Drew Brees

Robbie Brown

Cheryl Burke

Brooke Burke Charvet

Erika Christensen

Andy Cohen

Lauren Conrad

Bryan Cranston

Sidney Crosby

LuAnn de Lesseps

Celine Dion

Wylie Dufresne

Edie Falco

Dakota Fanning

Roger Federer

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Marc-Andre Fleury

Doug Flutie

Harrison Ford

Andrew Garfield

Jennie Garth

Willie Geist

Ricky Gervais

Kathie Lee Gifford

Whoopi Goldberg

Melissa Gorga

Lauren Graham

Rob Gronkowski

Savannah Guthrie

Josh Hamilton

Alyson Hannigan

Neil Patrick Harris

Mariska Hargitay

Megan Hilty

Derek Hough

Kylie Jenner

Carly Rae Jepsen

Khloe Kardashian

Diane Keaton

Toby Keith

Jason Kennedy

Jemima Kirke

Hoda Kotb

Mila Kunis

Padma Lakshmi

Matt Lauer

Jaqcueline Laurita

Cliff Lee

Jeremy Lin

Blake Lively

Evan Longoria

Jane Lynch

Misty Mae Treanor

Peyton Manning

Joe Mantegna

Julianna Margulies

Clay Matthews

Katharine McPhee

Maria Menounos

Natalie Morales

Jason Mraz

Craig Nelson

Norah O'Donnell

Brad Paisley

Sarah Jessica Parker

Dustin Pedroia

Regis Philbin

Rachael Ray

Joan Rivers

Holly Robinson Peete

Rico Rodriguez

Al Roker

Charlie Rose

Susan Sarandon

Senator Shaheen

Dax Shepard

Brooke Shields

George Stephanopoulos

Martha Stewart

Michael Strahan

Michael Symon

Bruno Tonioli

Donald Trump

Troy Tulowitzki

Emily VanCamp

Kerri Walsh

Ed Weeks

Betty White

Owen Wilson

Will.i.am

"Lindt is thrilled to have raised raise more than $600,000 for the autism cause over the course of our five year partnership with Autism Speaks," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA. "We are thankful for strong celebrity community support, which has helped make the auction an overwhelming success. We are especially excited to have Jennie Garth join us this year to launch the Auction and raise even more funds for the cause."

This year marks the fifth year of the Lindt and Autism Speaks partnership. To continue raising funds and awareness for the autism cause, Lindt is again donating 10 cents from all Lindt GOLD BUNNY purchases* and $1 for every free e-card sent from LindtGOLDBUNNY.com. In celebration of Easter traditions, Lindt will host a Pin 2 Win Lindt GOLD BUNNY Challenge on Pinterest where consumers can create their own Easter boards. Once 1,000 or more Pinterest users have participated in the challenge, which runs March 11 through March 27, Lindt will donate an additional $10,000 to Autism Speaks. Additionally, Lindt will donate 5 percent of sales from Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P parties on March 5 and 6, 2013 to Autism Speaks. In addition, 15 percent of sales from an event at the Lindt Chocolate Shop in Princeton, N.J. on March 12, 2013 will be contributed to the nonprofit.

About Lindt & SprungliFounded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 125 countries. Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,700 worldwide. Lindt USA operates more than 60 retail stores in the U.S., Lindt Chocolate RSVP, the company's premium direct selling program, and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels. For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.

About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $195 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships and related activities in more than 40 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.